Ohio lawmaker charged with fraud to get trial date

Ohio state representative Pete Beck, center, stands in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court with his lawyers Chad Ziepfel, left, and Ralph Kohnen during a hearing, Monday, April 7, 2014, in Cincinnati. The southwestern Ohio lawmaker is charged with misleading investors about a company's financial status and using their money for personal gain. Beck pleaded not guilty in July to 16 felony counts. A trial date has yet to be set. (AP Photo/Amanda Myers)

CINCINNATI — A trial date is expected to be set for a southwestern Ohio lawmaker charged with fraud and theft for allegedly misleading investors about a company's financial status and using their money for personal gain.

A judge is expected to set the new date Thursday for 61-year-old Republican state Rep. Pete Beck in Cincinnati. Beck has denied the allegations and brushed away calls to resign.

Beck initially faced 16 counts, including theft, securities fraud, making misrepresentations and selling securities in an insolvent company without full disclosure. He later was indicted on more than 50 other counts, including allegations that he lied to securities investigators.

The trial was rescheduled from this month after prosecutors indicated they intended to merge the charges.